Ortonville-Michael Brasic had 24 hours.
That’s the window of opportunity Brasic, 23, was granted by the U.S. Marines to return home and marry his high school sweetheart and girlfriend of six years, Holly Fitzpatrick.
Following the 24-hour leave, Brasic reported for training with the Marines First Battalion at Camp Pendleton in southern California.
Within 30 days, he’ll be in Iraq for a year-and-a-half stint.
‘If we’re going to get married, we’d better do it before I go,? said Brasic, a 2003 Brandon High School graduate. ‘I’m going to be sad at some point here. Right now I’m scared, but excited to go.?
After Brasic enlisted in the Marines in November 2005, the couple had considered a quick wedding at a courthouse in Lansing when Michael came back to Michigan for additional training in early August. That plan was dashed when the court could not perform the ceremony on Tuesday.
‘Michael called me and asked if he could have a small wedding at our church,? said Cindi Parker, mother of Michael. ‘We were thinking of asking just the parents and perhaps a few friends to the wedding on Sunday after church.?
Parker contacted Rev. Timothy Dibble of the Ortonville United Methodist Church regarding the wedding, who announced the plans to the congregation on July 29.
‘I just happened to be leading a special Sunday service with a patriotic theme and shared the story of this couple,? said Dibble. ‘Before the service was even over, folks were volunteering to provide for this wedding.?
So at about noon on Sunday, before a myriad of friends, family and church members’Holly, accompanied by her stepfather, walked down the aisle of the century-old village church.
From sanctuary decorations to flowers for the bride to a wedding program printed in full-color, the small church had produced a complete wedding for the couple. Following the wedding celebration was a reception in the church basement, complete with dinner including chicken and salads, a wedding cake and a church-member photographer.
‘We were overwhelmed by the people of the church,? said Parker, a member of the church for about 10 years. ‘We were expecting just a gathering with the parents, but we got a lot more.?
‘As a gift to those kids, the church provided an entire wedding. They would not let us help, it was phenomenal. All Holly did was buy a dress and show up. It was so touching. They all truly gave this with their hearts.?
Holly agreed.
‘I wish I could have spent more time with him before he left,? said Holly, a 2002 Brandon High School graduate, crying. ‘I’ve never met anyone from the church before, and they did all this for us, it’s unbelievable.?